General Conference Bulletin, vol. 1

OUR WORK AND EXPERIENCES IN CENTRAL EUROPE — NO. 2 — Continued

H. P. HOLSER

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6.

WE saw a brief report in a journal and learned that there was one pastor who took exception. Afterward I visited this pastor to find out more of the particulars. Said he, “When it came up, they spoke one after another against you, and I was astonished. Every time one of them arose, I thought surely he would speak in favor of the right, but the longer I waited, the more astonished I became. And finally they were about to dismiss the question entirely, without saying a word in favor of right principles. this was too much for me, and I sprang to my feet just as they were closing and spoke rather hastily and told them some very plain things. among others was this, — the day before, the Alliance had voted to pray for the conversion of the Czar, who was then sick, — to pray that he might be converted and relent his persecution of the Jews and the Stundists. But instead of praying for the conversion of the Czar, we ought to pray for the conversion of the Evangelical Alliance. They are engaged in the same business with these people in Basle, as the Czar is in Russia.” Thus the Lord had one voice in that assembly that he could use, and did use it. This pastor is quite interested in the matter, and we are furnishing him with reading matter to interest him further. GCB February 11, 1895, page 82.1

That the Evangelical Alliance takes such a position as that is very significant. It shows how far the question has advanced. I believe it is much nearer ripe than we have thought for; that this sunday spirit is much more fully developed than we have believed. by taking a firm stand for the truth, it will bring out these features, and some things will be developed that we did not before know were in existence. It seems as though things are ready, and when God’s people are ready for their part, it may close very soon. GCB February 11, 1895, page 82.2

We are not the only ones that have difficulty on this issue. three other cases have occurred in Switzerland: Brother Segesser, of Lucerne, was fined for chopping wood on Sunday. He carried the case to the Supreme Court. it was decided against him at every step, and the last I heard was they had levied on his goods and were about to sell them. He took occasion to write a tract upon it and circulate in the canton of Lucerne and adjoining cantons. He is a citizen of the place and among other things he stated: “Fellow citizens, You are at the present time raising a fund to erect a monument to William Tell. [This is in the canton where William Tell is supposed to have lived]. But while you are working to erect a stone monument to Tell, you have erected a living monument to Gesler.” GCB February 11, 1895, page 82.3

Another brother, in Zurich, was fined for Sunday work. He has a little shoe shop and in the window had a little blacking and oil. the police spied that out, and he was fined for keeping his store open on Sunday. The fine was more than all the stock of goods in the window, which he had up for sale, was worth. GCB February 11, 1895, page 82.4

Another case was that of a blacksmith in the canton of Berne at the foot-hills of the Alps, where people generally pass to visit the glaciers. This brother lives out in the country, but was fined for working as a blacksmith on Sunday. The magistrate tried to get him to do quiet work, but he replied that it is a very difficult matter for a blacksmith to work without filing and hammering. He continued his work and was fined. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.1

In addition to these Sunday laws and the difficulties on account of them, we have the school laws. Our people are obliged to send their children on the Sabbath. but fortunately, in the canton of Berne where most of our people live, the laws are favorable, granting a certain number of days free per month, and by being present on every other day, our people could keep their children at home on the Sabbath and be excused by the law. but last year this law was changed. The new law went into effect the first of October. Before this, our people had been stirred up on the question. In the past most of them in other cantons had sent their children to school on the Sabbath. We had talked of the matter more or less, but it did not begin to get hold of them. How ever, as soon as our experience in Basle with the Sunday question came up, the school question came along with it, and as they studied the question more they saw that they could not keep the fourth commandment and send their children to school on the Sabbath. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.2

In our camp meeting this question was spoken of quite freely. There was a unanimous sentiment in favor of taking a decided stand. Notice what occurred: Here were important changes coming which would involve the majority of our people. But just before they came, the Lord stirred us up to take a stand on the question so that when the new law came, we were prepared for it. Had our people not been prepared, and had they sent their children on the Sabbath, as in other cantons, that would have bound them a great deal closer. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.3

In the canton of Berne, we had never compromised on the school question. Before the new law came into effect, they told the school officials that they could not send their children to school on the Sabbath; that they were willing to hire State teachers, to give on other days the lessons their children would miss on the Sabbath. But the authorities said, The laws are here to be obeyed, and if you cannot obey them, leave the country. Our brethren have been quite active, however, in trying in different ways to avoid conflict with the authorities, but the last I heard from them, was that in one church alone five families had been fined for not sending their children to school on the Sabbath. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.4

What I feel most thankful of all for is that the Lord, who saw what was coming, stirred us up at the right time and prepared us for the issue. I believe that it was his special providence to wake us up on this point just at that time; it has done our people good; it has led them to study the word of God; they see the message as they never saw it before. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.5

The military question also is one that is equally significant. All of the regular army are expected to do military service on the Sabbath. In the past no one has had the courage to refuse to serve on the Sabbath; but we consider this as bad as doing any other secular work on the Sabbath. Moreover, the question arises, Can we join the army at all? Where will these armies finally be? They will be drawn up against the Lord, and sometime or other, we must get out of them, and be on the Lord’s side. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.6

But how can we get out? It seems to me that one question will settle the whole, and that is the Sabbath question. If a man keeps the Sabbath, he will soon get out of the army. They will put him in prison, banish him, or dispose of him in some way. Many of our people are waking up on this question, and I doubt whether many of them will serve any more on the Sabbath. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.7

These difficulties in consequence of the military and school laws will be much greater than those in consequence of Sunday laws. but the Sunday laws are increasing. At the present time they are endeavoring in at least four cantons to make more rigid Sunday laws. In some cantons, they go so far as to want to forbid dancing on Sunday, which is a remarkable thing in that country. It shows how far the Sunday sentiment has been developed there. We know that great difficulties are coming from these three sources. but our work will not die; where the enemy multiplies difficulties, the Lord will multiply strength and wisdom, and we know that the truth will triumph over all. GCB February 11, 1895, page 83.8